Date:
5th Jan. 2008

Ex Verulam School Captain, Chris Pugh led the way for the Vees with a powerful performance, rounded off with a Hat Trick of tries. Vees took the field missing prolific scorer Ali Luxford and corner stone of the "V8" John Tromans. But with the St.Columba's Holy Trinity of Alway, Liddiard and Lowe back together, things looked encouraging for the Vees.

The opening exchanges showed that Old Abbotstonians had beefed up their pack since the mauling they took before xmas. This however seemed to work in the Vees favour who's forwards enjoy the struggle upfront. With both sets of packs looking to get the upper hand and both sides backs kicking well for position the first 20 minutes remained even. The first score came from a deep kick into space from flyhalf Andy Evans, with flying winger Gareth Waters and Openside Ben Moralee chasing. The OA's fullback raced back to clear his lines but was charged down by Waters with Moralee on hand to score. Evans converted. The next score came soon after when blindside Chris Pugh crashed over from short range after a series of ruck and mauls up the field from the V8. Vees were in total control with the half-time score at 12-0 and now having the slope and wind to their favour Vees Forwards started to dominate the set piece and the breakdowns giving a steady stream of possession out to the the backs.

The lineout was a once sided affair with the towering Inside centre Brian Molyneux making the most of this with several barnstorming runs through the OA's midfield, "boshing" would-be tacklers aside. Molyneux was tackled short of the line on one of these breaks, but Pugh was on hand to pick his second score. 17-0. Abbotstonians came back with some pressure of their own and earned a converted try from a quick tap penalty catching the Vees defence asleep. But it was to prove only a blip as Vees scored three more tries to seal a well earned victory at home. Evergreen fullback Chris Monaghan rounded off a fine performance with a score after after being put in the clear from Munien. Left winger John Liddiard showed his blistering pace as he raced 40metres to latch onto a raking kick from Evans. With time nearly up on the clock Pugh broke away again on a 30 metre running ignoring the support runners on the both sides and running over 3 would be tacklers to score a well earned hat trick.

Final Score 34-7.

Vees take on Watford away in the cup on Sunday, 2PM KO.



Vees 2nd XV went down to Hemel in the Merit table 23-19. A closely fought game which saw Vees miss a drop goal attempt at the end to win. Tries came from Simon McCullough, Tim Fretter and Craig Rawlings.

Date: 13th Jan. 2008

After a resounding win for the V’s first team last week, the pressure of the league was put on hold for the first round of the Hertfordshire Cup. This competition is one the V’s expect to do well and so the V’s headed over to Watford as favourites for the win. Stuart Barns had pointed out on the Rugby Club on Thursday evening that “the V’s as one of the big clubs must win and win with style”. It may have been due to this expectation that under pressure coach Andy Weakling turned to the experience of Squirrels No.8 Robert “the colonel” Saunders as Luxford was forced to the bench. Along with Saunders Wakelin also included fellow Squirrels Simon Morris, Steve Mather & Ben Always.

Trevor Munion who captained the side won the toss and seemed to be relieved to take the pitch after a week of rumours in the press of unhappiness in the squad. Trevor has been quick to support the under fire Robin Wildey & Nathan Stewart for loss of banter saying “come the 26th of Jan they will be on great form driving the banter bus through the Fishpool Street pub crawl”.

The wind was into the V’s face in the first half so it was clear that the ball would have to be kept in hand especially after Paul Evans first three kicks for touch. This was a half of graft for the V’s with some strong phases of play. Some basic errors allowed Watford relieve the pressure but V’s kept there heads down and with Brian Molyneux at inside centre the V’s were consistently breaking the gain line. The V’s had been trying to play a quick game and were getting frustrated as Watford continually slowed play down. John Liddiard kept running back from full back and some safer hand the V’s would have turned a rounded in the lead.

The V’s turned around knowing that the game would hinge on the first score. The V’s won quick turn over ball through Ed Lowe from which Paul Spyropodoppolis smashed into midfield field and the V’s were awarded a penalty in front of the posts that Paul Evans converted. With Watford now down to 14 due to consistent infringement at the breakdown The V’s could look to show the difference in class. The V’s line out was now a thin of beauty with Robin cleaning up like a 6ft6 Henry the Hoover. Form a great line out Trevor released the back line and Alway sprinted into the corner like a Ginger nut on speed. Ben was not done there and from a Luxford turn over he was again able to dance over the try line. Ben’s third and final try came from a midfield break from Moralee who had been grafting all day on the floor and finally saw some open space. Moralee feed Ben who throw an audacious dummy and strolled over. Jon Liddiard converted.

The final try came from fly half Evans. Picking up the ball in his 22 he dummy scissored with Garth Water stepped the centre and the out sprinted the fullback for a fine solo effort.

The V’s now look forward to a trip to the mighty Borehamwood. For coach Wakelin this game could now through up more questions than answers. With a squad of superstar ego’s and a massive wage bill it will be interesting if this squad will still be intact come the end of the transfer window. 2008 has the making of a great year for the V’s & Squirrels on and off the pitch.

On a final note Alway owes one jug which he will be supplying on the 26th next home game prior to Rob and Trevor’s Birthday Pub crawl. I look forward to seeing all V’s and Squirrels then.

Date:
26 Jan. 2008

Verulamians secured a much needed win on Saturday, at home to Saracens Amateurs. A tough physical encounter by two very committed teams entertained a large crowd at the Cotlandswick ground.

Vees at full strength were out to revenge the 18-14 defeat before mas, which saw Saracens score a try 9 minutes in injury time to snatch victory.

Playing up the slope with a cross wind, Vees started on the backfoot as Saracens had the lions share of possession and territory in the opening 20 minutes. But strong tackling from the likes of Spyropulous, Pugh, Moralee, Molyneux and Gardner denied the visitors crossing the try line. Saracens did earn two penalty's which were both converted by their flyhalf. Vees started to come more into the game, with full back Chris Monaghan pinning the Saracens deep in their half with long kicks into the corners. But Vees failed to make the most of the set pieces to convert this pressure to points. When Vees earned 2 penalties of their own, flyhalf Andy Evans was unable to convert in the strong cross wind.

Trailing only by 6 points Vees took the field in the 2nd half confident they could cause an upset. Having soaked up the early onslaught the Vees pack started to exert itself in the set piece and tight. A patient build up by the Vee's forwards saw them within striking distance of the tryline. But the Saracens forwards strong tackling resisted the strong runs by Pugh, Tromans and Luxford. But as the defence got sucked in, Vees changed the point of attacked and moved the ball wide to inside centre Brian Molyneux who carved through the line to score under the posts. But Vees missed the chance to take the lead as the conversion was sliced wide.

Saracens earned another penalty soon after to extend their lead to 9-5 after Vees were caught offside at a ruck. Vees kept working hard and secured possession in the Saracens 22, leading to a penalty. Captain Trevor Munien opted for the scrum. The scrum broke up as Saracens struggled to hold the V8 at bay. The scrum was re-set and Vees got the shove on again, to be brought down short of the line earning another penalty. The pressure was on the Saracens pack now and when they brought the scrum down again, the referee had no choice but to award a penalty try. This time converted by Liddiard.

With less than 10 minutes to go Vees were well aware of not letting history repeat itself. But the Vees forwards managed to get hold of the ball and hang onto it to run the clock down and earn a well deserved victory. It was a good strong performance by the Vees forwards but man of the match went to Ollie Gardner for his exceptional defence at outside centre, spoiling every chance for the Saracens backs to spread the ball wide.

Vees 2nd XV beat Saracens Amateurs 2nds 36-0 in the Merit table and Vees 3's lost to Hampstead's 3's 48-0. It was the first time this season Vees have fielded 3 sides at home on the same day, which made for a great afternoon in the clubhouse afterwards!

Graphics & Design: S. Mandelbaum (shalom@mandelbaumonline.net)